Mel's Diner in Port Orange Cited for 15 Violations, Follow-Up Needed - Volusia County, FL

A breakfast meal.Photo byGoogle Reviews

Mel's Diner in Port Orange, Florida, a popular local eatery, recently faced a thorough inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, which found that the Volusia County restaurant needs to enhance its health and safety measures.

Located at 4649 S Clyde Morris Blvd, this diner, known for its breakfasts and welcoming atmosphere, was subject to an administrative complaint recommendation, requiring a follow-up inspection.

This is What Happened During The Inspection: The August 8, 2024 inspection revealed a total of 15 violations, including six high-priority, four intermediate, and five basic infractions, highlighting areas needing attention to maintain its reputation and ensure customer safety.

The inspection's high-priority violations included incorrect handling of food-contact surfaces, such as employees touching soiled surfaces before handling clean utensils.

Issues with food storage were noted, with raw shell eggs stored above cooked potatoes, and temperature control problems were found with milk and sausage not held at safe temperatures.

The diner was also operating with an expired license, further complicating its compliance status.

Intermediate violations pointed to procedural lapses, such as the absence of proper date marking on opened ready-to-eat foods and misuse of handwash sinks. The menu lacked clear identification of items containing raw or undercooked foods, which is crucial for consumer awareness.

Additionally, there was no proof of required state-approved employee training, which is essential for maintaining food safety standards.

Basic violations included using cloths as food-contact surfaces and wrong storage of employee beverages, which were corrected on-site. Other issues involved a gap in the exterior door, accumulation of grease and debris on nonfood-contact surfaces, and cleanliness of equipment like the salamander and water heater.

Despite these challenges, Mel's Diner remains a favorite among locals, with a 4.4-star rating from 765 Google reviews, praised for its great food and friendly service.

A recent customer named Matthew Barbado, a local guide with almost 400 reviews shared on Google Reviews:

This is our local breakfast stop. We walk here often. Great omelettes. Wonderful salads. Amazon diner coffee. Never disappointed!!

The upcoming follow-up inspection will determine if the necessary improvements have been made to ensure continued compliance and customer satisfaction.

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection.